The Tale of Genji
Critique • Quotes • Translations
1960 Modern Library editionAlso known as
Genji Monogatari
First publication
c.1020
Literature form
Novel
Genres
Monogatari
Writing language
Japanese
Author's country
Japan
Length
Approx. 527,000 words
Notable lines
In a certain reign there was a lady not of the first rank whom the emperor loved more than any of the others.
— First line, trans. Seidensticker
Such a difficult, constricted life as a woman was required to live! Moving things, amusing things, she must pretend to be unaffected by them. With whom was she to share the pleasure and beguile the tedium of this fleeting world? Like the mute prince who was always appearing in sad parables, a woman should be sensitive but silent.
Autumn is no time to lie alone.
It would seem that, as he examined the several possibilities, a suspicion crossed his mind: the memory of how he had behaved in earlier days made him ask whether someone might be hiding her from the world.
— Last line, trans. Seidensticker
Critique • Quotes • Translations
